Johnson bar - What is the normal force to operate?

[mikesalman]

This is my first experience with a johnson bar too. I think the rigging or possibly the springs are fatigued. My annual is due in August..um...I might beg  and ask to borrow (or rent it from you!!) your rigging tools for the landing gear in August. Our mechanic did work on it and it's better now, but I still think it's too hard to move either up or down. I shouldnt have to get lifted off my seat as I push down to get the bar locked on the floor.  LOL

Let me know (901)335-5252   M01

[Wildhorsesracing]

 

I thought this was required for the Johnson bar club!   

[Seth]

VIc-

 

I used to own a 1967 M20F with a Johnson bar.  When I bough t it, I could use it, but had a similar opionion to you that smoething was not right.  During the first annual, I asked them to look at th system, and during the test flight after the annual, the test pilot at the MSC stated that it was not as "smooth" as it should have been.  One of the bungee items was replaced, and it was a dramatic difference.  We're talking differnet worlds.  Smooth function by one arm without question.

 

Separately, I've had shoulder surgery in that arm due to a different injury, so having it be much smoother vs. how it was made a significant difference.

 

I ended up selling that aircraft for other reasons and purchased my Missile which has electric gear.  I've been very happy with the electric gear but admit that I do miss the Johnson bar.

 

Get it checked out - it should be smoother and less difficult to manuver. 

 

-Seth

[AmigOne]

SpamPilot, fyi with that font and size your postings are hard to read, at least for me on my iMac.  Maybe bold will help.

 

Now on the matter of gear, on my C between 80-90 mph my gear is very easy and a little harder during the last 20-30 deg between  90-100 mph.  Above 100 mph very hard but doable. Retracting use the momentum in a single motion, if you hesitate during the last 30 deg you'll have to push.  For me it is easy to push down (retracting) than forward (gear down).